Town gets new building officer

A former electrical inspector for the City of Richmond, Tom Canon, is Hagerstown’s new building code enforcement officer and building inspector.

Canon started his new job on Jan. 8 after the position had been vacant for nearly three months. He may be contacted at Town Hall, 49 E. College St., or by phone at 765-489-6171.

Along with issuing permits, conducting building inspections and code enforcement, Canon will serve as the zoning and planning administrator, coordinating the work of the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Advisory Plan Commission, according to Town Manager Chris LaMar.

The new position replaces the former building commissioner. One of two people interviewed for the position, Canon came recommended by the Advisory Plan Commission and LaMar, according to council and Plan Commission member Brian Longbons.

Canon served more than 10 years as an electrical inspector for Richmond and had worked before then as an electrical contractor since 1994. He told Western Wayne News he plans to enforce building codes fairly, in compliance with state laws and standards.

Council hired him to work part time, but Canon said he will try to demonstrate why the job should be a full-time responsibility. He will work up to 29 hours a week for $20 per hour. 

His pay, totaling $30,160 annually, is about three times what the town paid Bob Bullock, who retired Dec. 31, 2023, after 32 years in the position. Former commissioner Terry Ford started as building commissioner in January 2024 at $14,000 annually. After he resigned in March, the town expanded the job’s duties and rehired Ford in May for $28,888 annually. He resigned again in mid-October.

Other business on Jan. 7:

• Heart of Hagerstown downtown merchant association formally asked the Town Council “to remain committed to the mission and vision of” the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, Indiana. Council voted in December to quit the EDC after this year. “The EDC plays a critical role in job creation, business growth, and economic vitality throughout the region,” the group’s letter states.
• Council declared Michelle Huntington as its Citizen of the Month in recognition of her work as chair of the Hagerstown Hometown Christmas festival, widely lauded as the most successful in many years. She also works with other town festivals, including Jubilee Days and Fall Festival. 
• Agreed to apply to the Indiana Bond Bank for funding of about $2.16 million for a water line replacement project. Funding must be complete by April under terms of a $700,000 grant for the project from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Contracts for the project, which will replace lines to 142 customers, will be awarded in February.
• Discussed some complaints Police Chief Keith Folkner has received about a business owner’s family parking several vehicles on Main Street. Council members advised him to take no action.
• Fire Chief Rick Cole said the volunteer department has four open positions. Area residents interested in serving may contact him for information about requirements and responsibilities.
• Reelected Allan Bullock as council president for 2025 and Longbons as president pro-tem.
• Chris Blaase and Dillon Pitcher attended their first meeting as council members. Blaase accepted an appointment to the Park Board and Pitcher to the Plan Commission. Bullock appointed former council member Becky Diercks to fill a Plan Commission vacancy.

Town Hall will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Town Council’s next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, in Town Hall, 49 E. College St. The public may attend.